Construction work is a dangerous field, and injuries are unfortunately all too common. No matter how many precautions a construction worker takes, the risk of injury is always present.
Injuries on a construction site can come from a variety of different sources, ranging from equipment malfunction to employer negligence. If you are a construction worker who has suffered an injury at the work site, or if you are working in construction and want to know more about what to do in case you suffer an injury, here are three important things for you to know.
1. Construction claims can come from defective products
The first thing you may think of when you think of job site risks for injury is the inherent risk in the nature of your work. Construction workers must use heavy equipment that can cause serious injuries. However, some construction claims come as the result of faulty construction equipment. Defective products used at a construction site can include anything from ladders to cranes to backhoes to saws, among many other types of equipment.
2. Construction workers are at a higher risk for injury
Across the United States each day, more than 6.5 million people work in the construction field, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This government agency reports that construction workers have fatal injuries at a higher rate than the national average for all industries. OSHA is also tasked with conducting inspections at work sites to ensure safety. In Chicago, inspectors found one job site did not adequately protect its workers doing building renovations from dangerous exposure to lead and cadmium.
3. Family members can seek damages for fatal injuries
The most tragic injuries are the fatal injuries. Immediate family members can seek damages in these cases, known as wrongful death claims. Compensation in these claims may cover funeral expenses, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, as well as loss of future earnings. If you have lost an immediate family member in a construction accident, you should contact a Chicago personal injury attorney with experience in these cases.
